Reading food labels can be like cracking a mysterious code. At first glance, a product may appear to be vegan, but a closer look at the ingredients reveals that it contains hidden animal ingredients.
If you're at the beginning of your vegan journey, this process can be a little frustrating. But don't worry, with a little practice and a few helpful tips, you'll become a master at spotting hidden animal ingredients.
Let's take a look at some practical tips to help you read labels like a pro.
The first step to successfully reading labels is to learn to recognize the names of ingredients that may be of animal origin.
Some of these are obvious, such as milk, eggs, or honey. But what about ingredients such as casein, lactose or gelatin? These may be less well known, but they still come from animals.
- Casein and caseinate: A protein from milk, often found in cheese or protein products.
- Lactose: A milk sugar found in many sweets and baked goods.
- Gelatin: Made from the bones and skin of animals, often used in jellies, candies, or some yogurts.
- Shellac: Comes from insect droppings and is used as a glossy coating on candy or fruit.
- Carmine (E120): A red dye obtained from crushed insect bodies.
- Rennet: Used in cheese making and often comes from the stomachs of calves.
- Albumin: Protein from eggs, often used in baked goods or confectionery.
This list is not exhaustive, but is a good starting point. If you're not sure what a certain ingredient means, I recommend looking it up online or using an app to help you identify if it's vegan.
Some ingredients can be both plant and animal derived, which can be confusing.
For example, glycerin, lecithin, or mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids can be made from plants, but also from animals.
If the label doesn't indicate whether these ingredients are plant-based, it's best to contact the manufacturer or look for products labeled "vegan."
One of the easiest ways to tell if a product is vegan is to look for certifications and logos, such as "Vegan Society" or "Certified Vegan".
These symbols save you a lot of time and uncertainty because they guarantee that the product contains no animal ingredients and has not been tested on animals.
In today's digital age, there are many apps that can help you identify ingredients.
For example, apps like HappyCow, Is It Vegan? or CodeCheck allow you to scan a product's barcode to see if it's vegan.
These tools are a great help, especially if you're at the store and don't have time to study labels in detail.
Manufacturers often use vague or misleading labels that can be confusing.
For example, "natural flavor" may include animal ingredients unless it is specified that it is plant-based.
Similarly, a label such as "dairy-free" does not necessarily mean the product is vegan - it may still contain other animal ingredients such as gelatin or rennet.
No one is born an expert at reading labels.
The process can be time-consuming and frustrating in the beginning, but you will get better with practice.
Start with simple products that have short ingredient lists and work your way up to more complex ones.
Once you learn to identify hidden animal ingredients, you can share your knowledge with others.
Help your friends or family understand how to read labels and share your favorite vegan products.
Together, you can create a community that supports a vegan lifestyle.
Imagine you are in a store looking for vegan cookies. At first glance, the ingredients seem fine - no milk, eggs or butter.
But then you notice a little note: "May contain traces of milk." Now what?
That note usually means the product was made in the same facility as products containing milk, which can be a problem for those with allergies, but not necessarily for vegans.
If you don't mind possible traces, you can consider the product vegan.
This example shows how important it is to read labels carefully and understand what each note means.
Reading labels is a skill that takes time and practice, but with these tips you'll soon become an expert.
Remember that every choice you make has an impact - not only on your health, but also on animals and the planet.
So next time you're standing in the grocery store, pick up a product, turn it over and start reading.
You might discover something new and take the next step on your vegan journey.
When you say veganism, most people think of ethical reasons, animal protection or a positive impact on the environment. But what is often overlooked is the economic side of this lifestyle. Yet it is the economic benefits of veganism that can be one of the strongest arguments for going down this path.
In recent years, we've seen incredible growth in the vegan movement, not only at the individual level, but also in the business sphere.
When people say "vegan lifestyle", many people think of expensive specialty foods, exotic ingredients and high grocery bills.
Veganism is considered an expensive lifestyle, with many people worried that switching to a plant-based diet will be costly. However, the truth is that with a few simple tricks and proper planning, you can save money while still enjoying delicious and nutritious meals.